THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, June 26: The statewide anti-drug awareness campaign in Jharkhand, which ran from June 10 to June 26, concluded on Thursday at the Shaurya Auditorium in Doranda, Ranchi.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh described the campaign as a result of Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s visionary leadership. “This is not the end but a new beginning in the journey towards a drug-free and crime-free Jharkhand,” she said.
Call for Action Against Major Drug Traffickers
Minister Singh emphasized the need for strict action against large-scale drug traffickers, calling them a threat to the social fabric of the state. “While Jharkhand is steadily progressing in infrastructure and development, it is also standing firm against social evils like drug abuse,” she added.
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Opium Eradication Campaign: A ‘Comprehensive Success’
Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari noted that opium cultivation and drug trafficking have deeply affected several parts of Jharkhand. She highlighted that this year, a massive and coordinated campaign using technology and inter-departmental cooperation led to the large-scale destruction of illicit poppy crops. “It was a comprehensive success,” she said.
Over 27,000 Acres of Opium Cultivation Destroyed
Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta reported that 27,000 acres of opium cultivation were destroyed this year. In sensitive districts like Khunti, villagers themselves volunteered to support the campaign.
Warning against the rising menace of brown sugar among youth, he said the police would now intensify crackdowns on the supply chain—targeting peddlers, dealers, and suppliers. So far, 350 cases have been registered and 318 individuals arrested under anti-drug operations.
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Proposal to Include Anti-Drug Education in School Curriculum
Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, Ajay Kumar, advocated for integrating anti-drug content into school textbooks and emphasized the involvement of NSS volunteers in continuous awareness programs through schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centers.
Over 12,000 Awareness Events in Two Weeks
Home, Prison, and Disaster Management Department Principal Secretary Vandana Dadel shared that 238 panchayats across the state are affected by poppy cultivation and that awareness drives will continue in these areas.
In the past two weeks alone, over 12,000 awareness events were conducted. A special campaign covered more than 3,000 schools, reaching over 22 lakh children. Door-to-door campaigns, master trainer programs, and UNICEF’s technical assistance were key components of the initiative.
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Emphasis on Rehabilitation and Human-Centric Approach
Welcoming the attendees, Social Welfare Secretary Manoj Kumar stated that the campaign was guided not just by punitive measures but by a compassionate approach. “Efforts were made to support and rehabilitate drug victims,” he said.
At the conclusion of the program, various government departments and voluntary organizations that played a significant role in the campaign were felicitated. The state also launched a dedicated anti-drug portal — resistjharkhand.gov.in — which hosts awareness materials, rehabilitation resources, and progress reports.
The event was attended by top officials including Higher Education Secretary Rahul Purwar, School Education Secretary Umashankar Singh, Tourism Secretary Manoj Kumar, Ranchi DC Manjunath Bhajantri, and IG Aseem Vikrant Minz, among others.
